Siminalayi Fubara’s elder brother, Ambassador Blessing Fubara Senior, has officially declared his intention to contest the Rivers State governorship election under the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), pledging to serve only one term if elected.
The governorship hopeful made the declaration ahead of the party’s primary election, presenting himself as a capable and energetic candidate determined to restore peace, economic growth, and political stability in Rivers State.
Fubara said the state had suffered major setbacks in recent years, including economic decline, political instability, and loss of public confidence, stressing that Rivers people must unite to reclaim the state’s former status.
Speaking during his declaration, he said the political and economic situation in Rivers State had become deeply troubling and required urgent intervention from credible leadership.
“I am addressing you today on the occasion of the Nigerian Democratic Party, Nigerian Democratic Congress Party primary elections across states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated.
“We are standing on a ground competent, reliable and reputable to restore the soul of Nigeria and restore the soul of River State. The case of the political happenings in Rivers State cannot be overemphasised. The people are feeling for this purpose.”
The aspirant lamented what he described as the gradual erosion of Rivers State’s economic strength and political relevance, saying the people had lost several opportunities and investments due to the current situation.
“We have lost opportunities. We have lost investments. We have lost our dignity as a people. We have lost our pride as Rivers people,” he said.
According to him, Rivers State, once regarded as the “treasure base of the nation,” must return to a path of prosperity, peace, and development through collective action by citizens across political and ethnic divides.
“Today, we see a River State that is distressed. Today, we see a River State that is shortchanged. Today, we see a River State that seems almost like a conquered state. No, we are not a conquered people,” he declared.
Fubara maintained that the political strength of the people remained more important than financial influence, insisting that popular support would ultimately determine the outcome of the governorship race.
“We might not challenge the financial capacity that they have, but we know that we have the people, so we are richer in capacity,” he said.
The governorship aspirant also used the opportunity to call on party supporters across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State to mobilise massively for the upcoming NDC primary election.
“I’m calling on my 2 million fans across the 23 local governments of River State that are carrying party holders of the Nigerian Democratic Congress to all come in mass, stand at your polling units, stand at your wards, make a statement for us to reclaim the soul of our dear River States,” he stated.
Fubara further emphasised the need to preserve the state’s political zoning arrangement, insisting that the Rivers South-East Senatorial District should be allowed to complete its constitutionally recognised eight-year tenure.
To demonstrate commitment to the zoning principle, he promised to serve only one four-year term if elected governor.
“We have vowed to you to keep the peaceful existence of the political rotation of River States according to our founding fathers by our districts. The River Southeast Senatorial District must complete their 8-year tenure,” he said.
“Therefore, I have vowed to do just a 4-year one-term tenure to bring the expected prosperity and development in River State.”
He warned that abandoning the established rotation arrangement could create political instability and set what he described as a dangerous precedent in the state.
“It is of pertinent reasoning for us to understand that it sets a very wrong and dangerous precedent if we alter the senatorial rotation of our leadership and governance in the state,” he stated.
Fubara also claimed that he remains the only aspirant capable of restoring peace and stability in Rivers State, citing his experience and leadership qualities.
“But I stand to be the only candidate across party lines that will restore peace, that will merge experience and competence to further on the growth and prosperity of our dear River State,” he added.
In a direct appeal, the aspirant urged another unnamed contender in the race, whom he described as his “elder brother,” to step down and support what he called a popular movement to reclaim the state.
“To rather step down and support the call of the people, the uprising of the people for us to take back our dear state and restore a prosperous and progressive state for all,” he said.
